Information for young people about child abuse and neglect

Information for young people about child abuse and neglect

If someone believes that you are at risk of being hurt or neglected they can tell the Department of Health and Human Services, a government agency. This is called a child protection notification.

Someone might think you are at risk if:

someone is hurting or mistreating you

you are being neglected

you have left home

you are behaving in a risky way or you are hurting yourself.

Child protection notifications

Anyone who is worried that you are not safe or being cared for at home can make a report to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Some people, like doctors, nurses, midwives, teachers, school principals and police officers, must tell the department if they believe a child or young person is being harmed or that there is a serious risk of this. This is called mandatory reporting.

The department must investigate every report. This can include speaking to you, your family members and other people involved with your family.

Each family’s situation is different. The department may decide not to take action or may get involved with a family for a short or long time.

Being contacted by department workers

A worker from the Department of Health and Human Services will want to talk to you and your family. The worker should explain why they are visiting you, and talk about the problems that have been reported.

The department worker is meant to work with you and your family to sort things out to make sure you are safe. You don’t have to talk to them, but they still need to investigate the report.

You should be told of any decisions that are made. If you don’t understand what’s happening, ask the department worker to explain.

Going to the Children’s Court

If the Department of Health and Human Services believes that you are not safe, they may go to the Children's Court to get a court order to protect you. For more information see Going to court for a child protection case.

About this website

Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

How Victoria Legal Aid can help: Call us on 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm, for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au